Marcy Friedman
Marcy Friedman has been a student of art her entire life, with an uncle who painted across Europe and who studied with Fernand Léger before and after WWII. She first formally studied art herself during her undergraduate studies at Stanford University. Receiving a BA in history and a minor in art, she trained under Daniel Mendelowitz in figure drawing.
Later, after moving to Sacramento, Friedman took classes with local artists Benny Barrios, Jim Estey, and Ken Morrow. After a lengthy hiatus, almost 40 years, to achieve domestic and charitable pursuits, Friedman returned to painting. Since 2011, she has worked closely with a group of Sacramento-based artists including Pat Mahony, Boyd Gavin, Fred Dalkey, and Jian Wang, learning additional techniques in figure painting. For many years, Friedman also trained directly with Wayne Thiebaud to master still lives.
February 5 - March 1, 2025
A Conversation with the Artist - February 8, 3-4pm
Opening Reception – February 8, 4 - 7pm
This exhibition offers a comprehensive survey of Marcy Friedman’s modernist oeuvre. Her diverse subjects - ranging from candy still lives, to portraits, to interiors - highlight her keen technical abilities and her distinctive style derived from years of study with Thiebaud. A number of works in this exhibition also ask viewers to ponder the experience of art and its role in society today. By capturing museum goes, both at rest and at contemplation, Friedman offers a meta-commentary about the process of looking. Other work brings questions of art as a commodity to light.
Friedman, extensively educated on the history of textiles, integrates bright patterened designs into her paintings: in the towels or blankets against which the model sits or reclines, on the clothing, or on a background for the seated or reclining figure.
Marcy Friedman, Brushes, 2024, oil on canvas, 30" x 30"
Marcy Friedman, Museum Fatigue, 2024, oil on canvas, 60" x 30"
Marcy Friedman, City Mural, 2024, oil on canvas, 36" x 36"
Marcy Friedman, Colorful Bags, 2024, oil on canvas, 24" x 36"
Marcy Friedman, Madame Ginoux Contemplates Louis Vuitton, 2023, oil on canvas, 40" x 30"
Marcy Friedman, Sunflowers, 2024, oil on canvas, 36" x 24"
Marcy Friedman, Ribbon Candy, 2023, oil on canvas, 18" x 14"
Marcy Friedman, Floating on the River, 2024, oil on canvas, 24" x 36"
Marcy Friedman, Licorice, 2024, oil on canvas, 18" x 24"
Marcy Friedman, Small Boats, 2024, oil on canvas, 24" x 24"
Marcy Friedman, Happy Jeans, 2024, oil on canvas, 30" x 40"
Marcy Friedman, Striped Shirts, 2024, oil on canvas, 36" x 24"
Marcy Friedman, Woman on Beach Towel, 2024, Oil on canvas, 48" x 48"
Marcy Friedman, Contemplation, 2024, Oil on canvas, 40" x 30"
Marcy Friedman, Museum Break, 2024, Oil on canvas, 40" x 30"
Marcy Friedman, Beach Chairs with Umbrellas, 2024, Oil on canvas, 30" x 48"
Marcy Friedman, Turkey Conversation, 2024, Oil on canvas, 30" x 30"
Marcy Friedman, Lollipop Flowers, 2024, Oil on canvas, 18" x 14"
Marcy Friedman, Model in Chair, 2024, Oil on canvas, 38" x 30"
Marcy Friedman, Sneakers, 2024, Oil on canvas, 20" x 30"